Automobile body and mounting



Nov. 17, 1936.

J. P. TARBOX AUTOMOBILE BODY AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Original Filed Aug.16, 1927 arve 11v VENTOR:

Reissued Nov. 17, 1936 p Re. 20,176

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMOBILE BODY AND MOUNTING THEREFOR JohnP. Tarbox, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Edward G. Budd ManufacturingCompany,

Philadelphia, Pa., a. vania corporation of Pennsyl- Original No.1,804,658, dated May 12, 1931, Serial No. 213,293, August 16, 1927.

Application for reissue'July 14, 1936, Serial No. 90,619

23 Claims.

My invention relates to the'mounting of vehicle bodies on a chassis orunderframe, and particularly to the mounting of a body superstructurehaving side walls made up of outer and innersheet metal panels upon achassis or und'erframe.

In the mounting of such body superstructures upon the chassis orunderframe, it has heretofore been proposed to have the hollow thresholdportions, formed by the inner and outer panels, overlap and be securedto the sides of the chassis sills throughout the threshold regions. Thisconstruction, because it brought the top of the threshold portions ofthe body substantially inthe plane of the top of the chassis sillsresulted in a threshold as low as consistent with the necessary roadclearances of the automotive organs carried by the chassis. resided notonly in low thresholds permitting ease of entry and egress into and fromthe vehicle but, since this was'combined with a chassis construction inwhich the flooring and seats were supported directly from the chassis, asubstantial lowering of the center of gravity and hence,

I so

easier riding qualities were also attained.

It is the object of my invention to retain substantially all of theseadvantages, but to attain a firmer and more-secure mounting of the bodysuperstructure upon the chassis or underframe than has heretofore beenthe case.

To this end, I form the threshold portions of the body of such-.aconstruction that they havea very small vertical height but are ofsubstan tialwidthv transversely of the body to form a *wide seat, whichrests directly ontop of the chassis sill and is secured thereto. Theadvantages of this construction are that the entire load of the bodysuperstructure is taken directly by the chassis sills and substantiallyno load is borne by the means securing the body to the sills.

Other and further objects and advantageswill.

appear as the description proceeds;

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in side elevation, a body unit according to theinventionmounted on the underframe or chassis;

Fig. ..2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 through thethreshold, and showing the arrangement of body unit chassis sill, andfloor board according to a preferred form of my invention; and

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are corresponding sectional views of modified forms ofthe invention.

51?? Referring to Fig. 1', the chassis or underlrame The beneficialresults are given a contour in plan which conforms substantially to thecontour of the lower side edge of the body superstructure. In otherwords, the side walls of the body overlie the chassis sillssubstantially throughout.

To secure a very shallow yet strong threshold construction I preferablyform the combined inner and outer panels II and I2 of relatively lightgauge sheet metal and of substantially 2- section, the web of the Zoverlying and being secured to the inturned flange l3 at the top of thechassis sill l and the outer arm of the Z overlapping the vertical wallor web [4 of the sill while the inner arm of the Z projects upwardly toform the door overlap.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2, which is adapted to beused with chassis sill ll] of standard cross sectional form, namely,inwardly presenting channel form, with the upper flange l3 horizontal, Iform the inner sheet metal panel II with a horizontal web portion I5 todirectly overlie the flange l3 of the sill and the outer side wall panelwith an inclined web portion It to form the inclined threshold adaptedto receive a similarly inclined lower door jamb.

In their outer arms I! and IS, the inner and outer panels are securedtogether by crimping the arm ll! of the outer panel I2 over the arm llof the inner panel; these arms together forming the outer arm of the Zof the threshold portion which overlaps the web I4 of the sill. The sillis preferably of deepened web form to serve as a splash board.

The inner arms l9 and 20 of the inner and outer panels are extendedupwardly to form the door overlap, the joinder being by crimping the arml9 over the arm 20.

By this construction, a hollow threshold structure of great strength isprovided, which directly overlies the sill and which has a height notsubstantially greater except for the door overlap portion thereof, thanthe thickness of the floor boards, shown at 30. It is secured to thesill by riveting as shown at 22, or by bolting, the web portion l5 ofthe inner panel to the flange, I3 oi the sill. Access is had to thespace between the panels through openings 2l provided in the inner panelI l.

The flange l3 of the chassis sill is extended inwardly beyond the bodythreshold portion and supports on its inwardly extending portion theedges of the floor boards, 30.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 3, both the outer and innerpanels I2 and l I of the Z-shaped threshold section have inclined websas 23 and 24 and the two panels lie in contact with each otherthroughout being secured in their inner arms 25, 26 and their outer arms21, 28, by crimping in a manner similar to the form already describedand shown in Fig. 2. In this form, the upper flange l3 of the chassissill is inclined similarly to the inclined webs 23 and 24, and the angleformed by this flange and the vertical web I4 of the sill nests withinthe angle formed by the web of the Z and the outer arm of the thresholdportion of the body superstructure and the parts are secured by rivetsas 22' or bolts extending through the three thicknesses of metal I3, 23,24 in the threshold. A separate Z-shaped member is shown secured as bywelding its upper arm to the under surface of the flange l3 of the silland having its lower arm extended inwardly and supporting the edges ofthe floor boards 30.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 4, I leave the lower side ofthe threshold portion of the body side wall open, the outer panelresting through its inclined web 3|, on top of the sill upon thesimilarly inclined portion 32 of the transversely extending branch orflange l3" at the top of the sill, while the inner sheet metal panelll", rests through a reentrant portion 33 upon the oppositely inclinedportion 32' of the sill flange and has its upper edge 34 crimped, as inthe other forms described, over the arm 35 of the outer panel whereby toform the door overlap. It will be seen that the inner part of theinclined web 3| and the oppositely inclined portion 32 of the sillflange together form an inwardly presenting hollow section of V-channelshape, and that the inner panel ll" constitutes a third member closingthe mouth of this channel and forming therewith a hollow structure ofsubstantially triangular section, which I designate a box sectionstructure.

At the inner edge of the inclined portion 32' the sill flange I3" isoffset to provide a flange 35 for supporting the floor board 30. Thevertical wall 36 joining this flange with the inclined portion 32' isoverlapped by the lower edge 31 of the inner panel, which is securedthereto, by riveting, as at 38. The outer sheet metal panel has itsouter or depending arm 39 spaced from the web of the chassis sill in itsbody or upper portion and is offset inwardly at its lower margin andbent back upon itself as at 40 to provide a finished thickened edge andsecured through this thickened edge to the web M" of the chassis sill,as by rivets 4|, thus forming with the sill a box section structure.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 5 the outer panel l2' aloneforms the web and the outer arm of the Z-section threshold, this panelbeing formed into a narrow channel section, facing inwardly, the lowerhorizontal side wall 42 of the channel resting on the horizontal flangeI3 of the chassis sill, which may be of the usual cross sectional shape,namely, inwardly facing channel, with the flanges ofthe channel at rightangles to the web, as in Fig; 2.

The outer portion of this wall 42, is formed with a downwardly extendinghead 43 which overlaps the top of the web l4 of the sill to form theouter arm of the Z-shaped threshold portion of the body. The upper sidewall 44 of the channel is inclined similarly to the web of the outerpanel in the other modifications already described, and is flangedupwardly at 45 to form with the crimped over edge 46 of the inner panelH', the door overlap. The inner panel bridges the mouth of the channelformed by the outer panel and is flanged at its lower edge as at 41 andsecured, as by welding, to the edge of the outer panel the bodysuperstructure being joined to the chassis by riveting as at 48 throughthe flange 41 and the edge portion of the outer panel and the sillflange 13. In this form of the invention, I may support the floor boardfrom the flange I3 through the interposed edge portions of the outer andinner panels, as shown.

All of the forms disclosed have the common characteristic that thevertical walls of the body rest directly on top of the chassis orunderframe sills through a substantial portion of their width and thethreshold portions thereof are of a minimum vertical height andgenerally of Z-section whereby they are adapted to rest on the tops ofthe sills through the webs of the 2 while the outer arm of the 2 formsan overhang or finish for the join-t and the inner arm provides the dooroverlap. It will further be noted that this construction, in all exceptone of the forms shown, permits the fastening means to be arranged wherethey are not visible from the outside.

While I have shown and described several modifications which embody thegeneric invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the particularconstructions shown, but desire to cover such other modifications andchanges as clearly fall within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a vehicle construction, a chassis underframe side sill having atransversely extending flange at the top, a body side wall structurecomprising inner and outer panels of relatively light gauge joined intheir lower margins and formed with a widened threshold portion seatedon top of said flange and having a portion in which the panels arejoined overhanging the side of said sill.

2. In a vehicle construction, a chassis underframe side sill having atransversely extending portion at the top, a body side wall structurecomprising inner and outer panels of relatively light gauge joined intheir lower margins, one of said panels being formed to provide atransversely extending portion of substantially the thickness of saidwall seated on top of said trans versely extending portion of the silland having an upwardly'extending door overlap portion at its inner edge.

3. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill and a body sidewall arranged in superposed relation, said body side wall comprisingouter and inner panels of relative light gauge secured together in thethresholds and forming a door overlap, one of said panels having alaterally extending body portion seated on top of the sill and an outerdepending portion.

4. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle sectionhaving a vertical branch and an inwardly extending branch at the top ofsaid vertical branch, and a body structure having a threshold portion,said threshold portion being generally of Z-section, the web of the Zbeing seated on the inwardly extending branch 20,178 of the sill, theouter arm 01' the Z depending and,

its inner arm upstanding;

'5. In a vehicle construction, an under-frame- 1 and'a transverselyextending branch at the top of the vertical branch, and a body structurehaving a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally ofZ-section and seated on the transversely extending branch of the sillthrough the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z formingrespectively, a door overlap and an outer overlap for the sill.

6. In a vehicle construction, an underirame of angle section having avertical branch and an inwardly extending branch, a body structurehavinga thresholdportion resting on the inwardly extending branch of thesill and secured to said sill, said threshold section comprising innerand outer panels of relatively light gauge crimped together in at leastone of their edges and forming a generally Z-section structure seated onthe inwardly extending branch of the sill through the web of the Z.

7. In a vehicle construction, a chassis underi'rarne having a side sillprovided with a horizontal top flange, a body structure having athreshold portion comprised of inner and outer panels of relatively thingauge forming a hollowstructure having a horizontal portion seated onsaid top flange of the sill and having an inclined portion fcrmingthedoor jamb.

8. In a vehicle construction, a chassis underframe having: a side sillprovided with a top flange, and a. body structure having a threshold:portion comprised of inner and outer panels of margins and forming ahollow structure having a substantially horizontal portion seated on thetop portion of the sill, an inclined door jamb portion, and a dependingportion at the juncture of the horizontal and door jamb portions.

10. A threshold construction for vehicle bodies built up out of innerand outer panels of relatively thin gauge, each of substantiallyZ-section with the web of the Z extending transversely and the armsextending respectively upwardly and downwardly, the panels being joinedin at least one of their margins by crimping the arm of one over the armof the other.

11. A threshold construction for vehicle bodies built up out of innerand outer panels of relatively light gauge each of substantiallyZ-section, the web of one 2 being inclined to the web of the other, andjoined together in both their margins by crimping the adjacent arm ofone panel over the adjacent arm of the other panel.

12. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle sectionhaving a vertical branch and an inwardly extending branch at the top ofsaid vertical branch, and a body structure having a threshold portion,said threshold portion being generally of Z-section, a web of the Zbeing seated on the inwardly extending branch of the sill, the outer armof the Z depending and its inner arm upstanding, the depending arm beingspaced in its body from the underframe side sill and secured thereto inits lower margin to form therewith a box section structure.

13. In a vehicle construction. .an underirameside sill of angle sectionhaving a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the topof the vertical branch, and a body structure having a threshold portion,said threshold portion being generally of Z-section .and seated on thetransversely extending branch of the sill through the web portion of theZ, the arms of the Z forming respectively, a door overlap and an outeroverlap for the sill, the arm forming the outer overlap for the sillbeing spaced in its body from the underframe side sill and securedthereto in its lower margin in a manner to form therewith a box sectionstructure.

14. In a vehicle construction, an underirame side sill of angle sectionhaving a vertical branch and an inwardly extending branch at the top 01'said vertical branch, and a body side wall sheet metal panel structurehaving a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally ofZ-section, the web of the Z being seated on the inwardly extendingbranch of the sill, the outer arm of the Z depending and its inner armupstanding, the depending arm being spaced in its body from theunderframe side sill and secured thereto in its lower margin to formtherewith a box section structure.

15. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle sectionhaving a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the topof the vertical branch, and a sheet metal body side wall panel structurehaving a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally ofZ-section and. seated on the transversely extending branch of the sillthrough the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z forming respectivelya door overlap and an outer overlap for the sill, the arm forming theouter overlap for the sill being spaced in its body from the underframeside sill and secured thereto in its lower margin to form therewith abox section structure.

16. A vehicle construction according to claim 12- in which a thirdmember coacts with the angle section side sill and the Z-sectionthreshold portion to form a second box section structure.

1'7. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle sectionhaving a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the topof the vertical branch, and a sheet metal body side wall panel structurehaving a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally ofZ-section and seated on the transversely extending branch of the sillthrough the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z formingrespectively, a door overlap and an outer overlap for the sill, and athird member coacting with the angle section side sill and the Z sectionthreshold portion to form a box section structure.

18. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle sectionhaving a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the topof the vertical branch, and a body side wall panel structure having athreshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-sectionand seated on the transversely extending branch of the sill through theweb portion of the Z, the arms of the Z forming respectively, a dooroverlap and an outer overlap for the sill, the arm forming the outeroverlap for the sill being spaced in its body from the underframe sidesill and secured thereto in its lower marginv to form therewith a boxsection structure, and a third member coacting with the angle sectionside still and the Z-section threshold portion to form a second boxsection structure, said second box section structure being locatedinwardly of the first.

19. In avehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle sectionhaving a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the topof the vertical branch, and a body side wall panel structure having athreshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-sectionand seated on the transversely extending branch of the sill through theweb portion of the Z, the arms of the Z forming respectively, a dooroverlap and an outer overlap for the still, and a third member coactingwith the web portion of the Z and the transversely extending branch ofthe sill to form a box section structure.

20. In a vertical construction, an underframe side sill oi. anglesection having a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch atthe top of the vertical branch, and a body side wall panel structurehaving a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally ofZ-section and seated on the transversely extending branch of the sillthrough the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z formingrespectively, a door overlap and an outer overlap for the sill, at leastparts of the web portion of the Z and the transversely extending branchof the sill forming an inwardly facing channel and an inner panelclosing the mouth of the channel and forming a box section structuretherewith.

21. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle sectionhaving a vertical branch and an inwardly extending branch at the top ofsaid vertical branch and a body side wall panel structure having athreshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section,the web of the Z being seated on the inwardly extending branch of thesill, the outer arm of the Z depending and its inner arm upstanding, atleast portions of the web of the Z and the inwardly extending branch ofthe sill fomiing an inwardly facing channel, and an inner panel securedto the upstanding arm of theZ and the inner portion of the inwardlyextending arm of the sill and closing the channel to form a box sectionstructure.

22. In a vehicle construction according to claim 4, inwhich the inwardlyextending branch of the sill is formed with a downwardly extendingflange substantially in the vertical plane of the inner upstanding armof the Z and in which parts at least of the web of the Z and theinwardly extending branch of the sill form an inwardly facing channelsection, and an inner panel secured to the inner upstanding arm of the Zand the downwardly extending flange on the inwardly extending branch ofthe sill and forming a box section structure.

23. In a vehicle construction, a chassis underframe having a side sillprovided with a horizontal top flange, a body side wall structure havinga threshold portion comprised of inner and outer sheet metal panels ofrelatively thin gauge, one of said panels being shaped to form alaterally facing channel and the other panel closing the mouth of saidchannel to form therewith a box section structure, said structure havinga horizontal portion seated on said top flange of the sill and having aninclined portion forming the door jamb.

JOHN P. TARBOX.

